Personal computing discussed
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BloodSoul wrote:I'd look into getting Klipsch Promedia 2.1's. I've had a lot of experience with these guys and the sound is unbeatable for the cost. As far as 5.1 goes... the space issue is more annoying that the benefits. Save yourself the headache and just go 2.1!
ludi wrote:I picked up a ProMedia set about 18 months ago from Best Buy. The physical construction of the overall package isn't quite as nice as it used to be but the sound quality remains excellent for the size and price.
GeForce6200 wrote:ludi wrote:I picked up a ProMedia set about 18 months ago from Best Buy. The physical construction of the overall package isn't quite as nice as it used to be but the sound quality remains excellent for the size and price.
Ludi, have you heard the Z-2300? If so how would they compare? looking for something simple to replace a failed z2300 setup.
Chrispy_ wrote:The alternative to PC speakers if you don't want surround sound is powered studio monitors; They don't have the booming bass that 2.1 setups have, but the actual audio quality is much, much, higher...
rephlex wrote:Chrispy_ wrote:The alternative to PC speakers if you don't want surround sound is powered studio monitors; They don't have the booming bass that 2.1 setups have, but the actual audio quality is much, much, higher...
You'd think so but this isn't always true. I once bought some Alesis M1Active 520 active monitors which I found to be unacceptably noisy, especially for something marketed as a professional product. They were advertised as having a greater than 100 dB unweighted SNR but the amount of hiss they generated was comparable both in level and in tone to that produced by cassette tape. My cheapo Dayton Audio DTA-100a amp easily surpasses the sound quality of the junky electronics that were built-in to them which is a pity since the quality of the enclosures and drivers they used seemed very good.
Parallax wrote:Tried the Klipsch Promedia 2.1 set last year, and returned it because of the background hiss that was always present at all volume levels (even with the source unplugged). The left speaker also cut out below about 5% volume, which is really where the volume needs to be for any kind of close-range listening.
DancinJack wrote:Parallax wrote:Tried the Klipsch Promedia 2.1 set last year, and returned it because of the background hiss that was always present at all volume levels (even with the source unplugged). The left speaker also cut out below about 5% volume, which is really where the volume needs to be for any kind of close-range listening.
That's so weird. I think the PM 2.1's have virtually no hiss, at least the ones that I own. They're MUCH better than the Logitech something or other set they replaced. Mine are three years old now though. I do have a friend that has some that did the exact same thing yours did at low volume though. One of the speakers, can't remember which, cut out while the other was still audible.
just brew it! wrote:Did they use an external power brick? The issue could've been a poorly designed (or defective) switching supply. A lot of places just source power bricks from the lowest bidder, so even if the electronics in the speakers themselves was decent they could've shot themselves in the foot with crappy power.
rephlex wrote:just brew it! wrote:Did they use an external power brick? The issue could've been a poorly designed (or defective) switching supply. A lot of places just source power bricks from the lowest bidder, so even if the electronics in the speakers themselves was decent they could've shot themselves in the foot with crappy power.
Nope. Each speaker was mains powered via a C14 IEC connector by their own built-in power supply. The defect is actually a (little) known fact about these speakers, something I discovered only after I had bought the speakers and scoured the Internet in search of an explanation. It could've been worse, at least mine weren't making buzzing noises in addition to the hiss as another dissatisfied owners were doing.
just brew it! wrote:rephlex wrote:just brew it! wrote:Did they use an external power brick? The issue could've been a poorly designed (or defective) switching supply. A lot of places just source power bricks from the lowest bidder, so even if the electronics in the speakers themselves was decent they could've shot themselves in the foot with crappy power.
Nope. Each speaker was mains powered via a C14 IEC connector by their own built-in power supply. The defect is actually a (little) known fact about these speakers, something I discovered only after I had bought the speakers and scoured the Internet in search of an explanation. It could've been worse, at least mine weren't making buzzing noises in addition to the hiss as another dissatisfied owners were doing.
Just goes to show that even established, respected brands can put out a dud on occasion.
Kurotetsu wrote:Another alternative to PC speakers and powered monitors is a T-Amp and passives. This combination is fairly popular and budget-oriented:
Dayton Audio B652 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers
Lepai LP-2020A+ Tripath Class-T Hi-Fi Audio Mini Amplifier
This setup makes it easy to upgrade the speakers and/or amp later on, or throw in a subwoofer.
Kurotetsu wrote:Another alternative to PC speakers and powered monitors is a T-Amp and passives. This combination is fairly popular and budget-oriented:
Dayton Audio B652 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers
Lepai LP-2020A+ Tripath Class-T Hi-Fi Audio Mini Amplifier
This setup makes it easy to upgrade the speakers and/or amp later on, or throw in a subwoofer.
rephlex wrote:I once bought some Alesis M1Active 520 active monitors which I found to be unacceptably noisy, especially for something marketed as a professional product.
GeForce6200 wrote:Kurotetsu wrote:Another alternative to PC speakers and powered monitors is a T-Amp and passives. This combination is fairly popular and budget-oriented:
Dayton Audio B652 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers
Lepai LP-2020A+ Tripath Class-T Hi-Fi Audio Mini Amplifier
This setup makes it easy to upgrade the speakers and/or amp later on, or throw in a subwoofer.
While a decent setup, the Lepai can't ouput clean audio at any respectable levels, which is why in my previous post I recommended the Dayton DTA 100a or the Dayton APA 150 The speakers linked would work, but if budget allowed it may be wise to upgrade Sony or even used higher tier bookshelf speakers.
Chrispy_ wrote:Equalisers have no place on a pair of so-called "studio monitors"; That label should be reserved for units which are supposed to have a flat-response curve without an equaliser!
GeForce6200 wrote:Kurotetsu wrote:Another alternative to PC speakers and powered monitors is a T-Amp and passives. This combination is fairly popular and budget-oriented:
Dayton Audio B652 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers
Lepai LP-2020A+ Tripath Class-T Hi-Fi Audio Mini Amplifier
This setup makes it easy to upgrade the speakers and/or amp later on, or throw in a subwoofer.
While a decent setup, the Lepai can't ouput clean audio at any respectable levels, which is why in my previous post I recommended the Dayton DTA 100a or the Dayton APA 150 The speakers linked would work, but if budget allowed it may be wise to upgrade Sony or even used higher tier bookshelf speakers.
RhysAndrews wrote:AudioEngines 5+
Can't go wrong. 3 yr warranty. amazing mids. When my 5's failed after 2.5 years they gave me a free upgrade to the 5+'s.
-Rhys
Khali wrote:After looking around for a while I settled on the Klipsch Promedia set. They sound good and if your into it, the sub woofer can bounce you out of the room.
Chrispy_ wrote:Most 2.1 systems murder bass guitars; I can't quite explain how but the details just get drunkenly slurred together and the volume is inconsistent - all over the place.